Season Coming to an End in Nova Scotia

The river season is over. Now it is up to the Atlantic salmon themselves to carry on the magic – with a bit of help from the weather.

There have been reports of Atlantic salmon digging redds, and soon they will be really serious about it, going about the business of jostling for territory and the rights to start the next generation on its way – from perhaps 20 cm or more down in the gravels.

Above water level, it is time for the rest of us to begin reminiscing about river experiences, wiping down and storing rods, jackets and carefully preparing other equipment for winter storage, and to begin starting the dreams of next spring’s river adventures.

If you have been fortunate enough to connect with a gorgeous Atlantic salmon this year, perhaps think about getting an enlargement of that special photograph for the den or office, a reminder of some of the things that are important in life that relate to rivers.

Margaree – photo by Gord Magee

Nova Scotia

Margaree – Word from John Hart is that water levels have been good for the last week of the season, but the salmon have not been persuaded to take that many flies. Certainly it was a decent autumn of salmon fishing overall.

Northumberland Strait Rivers – According to ASF’s Lewis Hinks, the fishing had been pretty good but has slowed down. There are reports from along these rivers of the salmon beginning to dig their redds.

New Brunswick

A few of the Oct. 31 numbers for counting fences have been posted. We will report the remainder next week.

Northwest Miramichi – The barrier is reporting 252 large salmon to Oct. 31, 2013, against 163 to the same date in 2012. For grilse, the numbers are less attractive, with 240 this year vs. 238 last year.

Main Southwest Miramichi – The Dungarvon Trap is reporting 292 large salmon in 2013 vs 135 in 2012. For grilse, there were 244 registered this year vs 169 in 2012.

Nepisiguit River – The Oct. 31 figures are 119 large salmon in 2013 vs 117 in 2012. Grilse numbers are very low, at 87 in 2013 vs 179 in 2012.

Maine

Penobscot – The removal of the Veazie Dam cofferdam continues. As the dam was removed this year and water levels fell, various structures hidden for a century have emerged, and have also required removal, and some of this work was undertaken in October.

Obstructions to the Penobscot River revealed by the dismantling of the Veazie Dam have resulted in subsidiary removal work this October. Penobscot River Restoration Trust photo.